Anxiety is a mental disorder that causes suffering to many. In Susan Schultz's film “It's Just Anxiety”, several people with different anxiety disorders are vulnerable in their interviews, showing a glimpse of the struggles they face daily. In this essay, I will highlight common symptoms given in the film, coping strategies that are found helpful by some people with anxiety disorders, and ways to offer support. I will also examine my experiences with anxiety and how they may relate to the film.
Anxiety encompasses several different disorders, for example, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. Although these disorders are different, they have many similarities. In the film, people with different anxiety disorders are interviewed, making it clear to see similarities and differences between the disorders. Among the disorders, some common symptoms expressed in the film are Trouble breathing, excessive worry, fear, intrusive thoughts, and heart-pounding. These are just to list a few. The film demonstrates the main difference in disorders as what triggers worry, fear, etc. In social anxiety it may be social gatherings and events, for OCD it may be as an example shown in the film, phobias of germs, and for generalized anxiety, just about anything could be a trigger.
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The film focuses on how each person may feel as they struggle with their disorder throughout their day. Coping mechanisms and helpful tips for loved ones are also shared. Many of the people who were interviewed explain a feeling that they need to “get out” or “escape” when having a panic attack and going to another room or leaving where they are may begin to help. One man explained how his medicine would calm him down, but that it made him very sleepy causing it to be dangerous to take depending on his location. Other coping mechanisms mentioned were taking things one step at a time when trying to get yourself to do something that is anxiety-inducing; such as driving to the store for some. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was mentioned as a way to help work through specific anxiety-inducing phobias, and another person mentioned that exercise was very helpful for her. There were many more therapies and coping mechanisms mentioned in the film as well. When speaking of support that could be beneficial for people with anxiety, some mentioned getting informed on your loved one's disorder, being patient and caring, and seeing the person as more than their disorder.
Growing up I was always a social person, trying to connect with as many people as possible. But at the same time, I struggled with social anxiety. I was often told by my mother and others close to me as well, “You are a people pleaser” or “You are an overthinker, you are overthinking again”. So I grew up thinking my anxiety was just that, I was overthinking again. Because of this, I had never been diagnosed or even tried to get help for my anxiety. When I become anxious, it is typically when I am not with other people but before or after I have seen or spoken with them. Sometimes I get off the phone with someone and begin to think about what I have said and how it may have been interpreted wrong and now they may be hurt or angry at what I have said. I do have panic attacks occasionally often with no known trigger but this social anxiety happens much more often.
When I am dealing with this anxiety I will begin to have intrusive thoughts, similar to ones demonstrated in the film. Telling myself very harmful things especially involving how others may perceive me. I do tell myself as some people in the film mentioned as well, it's just anxiety but the feelings that it may be rational are very powerful in these moments. I begin to feel sick to my stomach and have trouble getting full breaths and the intrusive thoughts are hard to stop. When having a panic attack, I will have trouble breathing, feel faint, heart pounding, sweating, and intense fear as well.
In the film, no one mentioned being triggered or anxious about similar things to me. I have barely heard of people having social anxiety yet they are an extrovert and thrive when around others. I never understood how I could have so much anxiety when apart from others but when I am with them I am fine. This is part of the reason, along with the fact that I had always been told I was “just overthinking” that I only realized I had anxiety -apart from occasional panic attacks- this last summer. My friend helped me to realize that my constant worry and “overthinking” was anxiety and that I should see someone about it. She also shared coping mechanisms that work for her such as learning when she was starting to be anxious and talking herself down and out of panic attacks, similar to in the film when one person reminded themselves to breathe and that it was “just anxiety”. When realizing you are in these situations you may be able to talk yourself down, but sometimes the intruding thoughts telling you this is logical fear is very strong.
Many of the coping mechanisms shown in the film I have already learned but I am interested in trying art therapy and meditation as mentioned in the film. Schultz's film gives a great overall picture of anxiety disorders, how they may affect people, and what can help with coping and supporting loved ones. It may help with providing understanding for people who are not familiar with anxiety in their own lives. The film provided me with a better understanding of different anxiety disorders and helped provide coping tips.
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